Meal Deal at Caps
“I came to America for a car and a nice dress,” said Mrs. Caparell, first time I met her. “And a future for my two boys.” She’s from Thessaloniki, in Greece. She told me this at Caparell’s, the restaurant in …
Mamma Mia! Francesca's Moving In
Little Italy Update: Zagarella, the long-time Italian restaurant at 1655 India Street, r.i.p., is a mess. That’s because a big gent from Chicago has taken the property over, ripped out its bowels, and is turning it into another Mia Francesca. …
Begone, Grass-Guzzling Cattle
Oh, and while we’re searching for bugs you can eat, the best place to find them in quantity is at Tijuana’s Mercado Miguel Hidalgo, the central Mexican-style market in the Rio District (it occupies the block bordered by Independencia, Sánchez …
Where to Chew Chapulines
Naomi, Matt: a couple of adds to your grasshopper string (found here and here) (and guys, I think it’s spelled “chapulines,” not “chipulines”) (They say “Chapultepec,” the wealthy TJ neighborhood, is Nahuatl for “Grasshopper Hill”). Last place I had the …
Hacienda Happy Hour?
I blame Carla: she got me going on the whole history thing. And guess what? It’s all around us. Like t’other day I was in Old Town, sauntering down Twiggs Street, ’cause I saw that sign, “Rockin’ Baja Coastal Cantina” …
Hubble Bubble
Midnight, F Street, downtown. Inside Café Lulu (at 419 F, between 4th and 5th Avenues), that sweet smokey smell of Egyptian Pharaoh and mango-flavored hookah smoke. “Americans prefer flavors,” says Allen, the Iraqi guy who makes the mixtures and brings …
Elvis Sighting on Orange
Found Elvis Presley with Leroy Mossel this afternoon. Two were chatting outside Mootime on the sidewalk in downtown Coronado. Okay, Leroy was standing beside the full-size Elvis in front of the ice cream joint, chatting with someone else. Something about …
Côté Sud: Progress!
Was loping along University Ave., up in Hillcrest Tuesday night. Spotted the lights on inside Côté Sud, and, out on the sidewalk, two gents talking serious business. In French. Turned out to be the co-owners, Brice and Serge. They said …
Wonderbeer?
Oooh. Smell those hops. And that malty thing going on. I’m sitting, lone wolf, at the lo-ong counter of what was the Wonderbread factory at 1441 L Street, between 12th and Imperial and Father Joe's, sipping a sample ($1) of …
La Taquiza: Standing Room Only
Talking of food trucks, how come they can’t put tables and chairs beside the trucks any more? Two of my food truck faves are down where buses like the 901 and 929 terminate, at the Iris Avenue trolley stop (two …
Taco Wars: All In the Family
Shout out to Bill McC, on 30th. Reckons if you’re into fish tacos, shrimp tostadas or shrimp cocktails, you ain’t gonna beat Kiko’s, the food truck that usually parks in front of Pep Boys on El Cajon Boulevard. Hard to …
Côté Sud Goes South
Aaaargh! Did you see last week's TF? Côté Sud ("South Side"), Hillcrest. Great place. Only problem: It seems to have gone south, belly up, closed down. They put a sign on the door saying they'd be back by the weekend. …